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how to make 2nd server DHCP fallback but not conflict in meantime?

Njem Njem 41 Reputation points
2021-05-09T03:17:12.797+00:00

I have what is essentially a single server setup but we do have a 2nd server as a 2nd active directory server to pick right up if the 1st goes down. All set up and tested and works great. And it is 2nd DNS server too. Now I have 1st server doing DHCP (used to be by router) and I want 2nd server to be ready to pick up DHCP job instantly if 1st should fail. If I just add DHCP to 2nd it will probably be in conflict with 1st. How to do this? Server 2016 Std

Windows Server 2016
Windows Server 2016
A Microsoft server operating system that supports enterprise-level management updated to data storage.
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Windows DHCP
Windows DHCP
Windows: A family of Microsoft operating systems that run across personal computers, tablets, laptops, phones, internet of things devices, self-contained mixed reality headsets, large collaboration screens, and other devices.DHCP: Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP). A communications protocol that lets network administrators manage centrally and automate the assignment of Internet Protocol (IP) addresses in an organization's network.
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  1. Jiang Zhang 786 Reputation points
    2021-05-10T08:19:59.37+00:00

    Hi,
    According to your description, you need to configure Two DHCP server with failover relationship. With DHCP failover, DHCPv4 scopes can be replicated from a primary DHCP server to a partner DHCP server, enabling redundancy and load balancing of DHCP services.
    There are two DHCP failover modes are available to use when you create a DHCP failover relationship:
    1.Hot standby mode: both DHCP servers are active at the same time and the load is shared between them.
    2.Load balance mode: one DHCP server is active (as primary) and the other is passive (as secondary) so that when the primary is unavailable, secondary is automatically enabled.
    For your case, I recommend you choose hot standby mode. When active DHCP server goes down, passive takes over and becomes active.
    For how to configure DHCP failover step by step, you can refer to the following link:
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    Please refer to the following link as a guide to learn more details.
    https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/previous-versions/windows/it-pro/windows-server-2012-r2-and-2012/dn338986(v=ws.11)

    Best Regards,
    Mulder Zhang

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  1. Njem Njem 41 Reputation points
    2021-05-10T14:49:17.787+00:00

    Thanks. I've set that up. I guess I wasn't thinking about Active Directory as the coordinator to have one kick in if the first fails. I was just thinking of someway to tell the 2nd DHCP to remain dormant until needed, like you might if you didn't have AD in the system, but since AD is there and will coordinate failover I'll use that.

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